Find DUI Records in Burien
Burien DUI records are split between two courts based on the severity of the charge. Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor DUI cases that occur within Burien city limits are handled by Burien Municipal Court at 400 SW 152nd St. Felony DUI cases, which arise on a fourth or subsequent offense within ten years, transfer to King County Superior Court in Seattle. Both courts have searchable public records. This page explains how to access those records online, what information they contain, and how Washington's DUI penalties apply to cases filed in Burien.
Burien Overview
How to Search Burien DUI Records Online
The Washington Courts public access portal at dw.courts.wa.gov is the primary tool for finding Burien Municipal Court DUI records. It covers municipal and district court cases statewide. You can search by name or case number. Results display the charge description, filing date, hearing history, and current case status. The portal is free to use and requires no account.
For felony DUI cases that went to King County Superior Court, use the Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov. That system covers superior court cases and lets you search by name or case number. You can view docket entries, upcoming hearings, and case dispositions. Neither portal provides certified copies, but both give you enough information to identify the right file before contacting the clerk.
Common reasons a search might return no results:
- The case was filed before online records were available
- The charge was reduced and filed differently than expected
- The incident occurred outside Burien city limits and was handled by King County District Court instead
Burien Municipal Court
Burien Municipal Court handles all misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal matters that arise within the city. DUI charges for first, second, and third offenses are gross misdemeanors under Washington law. Those cases go here, not to the county court. The court is at 400 SW 152nd St in Burien.
Burien Municipal Court handles DUI cases within city limits. The court is located at 400 SW 152nd St, Burien, WA 98166. Call (206) 248-5630 with questions. Search cases online at dw.courts.wa.gov.
Each DUI case file at Burien Municipal Court includes the charging document, motions filed by both sides, the court's rulings on those motions, the final judgment and sentence, and any probation conditions. Plea agreements are part of the file as well. If a deferred prosecution was granted, the record shows the terms and current status of that agreement. Staff can help with records requests by phone at (206) 248-5630 or in person at the court.
Burien is located just south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It incorporated as a city in 1993 and has its own municipal court handling criminal matters. Before incorporation, cases in this area would have been handled by King County District Court. If you are searching for older cases from before 1993, those records may be at the county district court level.
Felony DUI Cases at King County Superior Court
A fourth DUI offense within ten years in Washington is a Class B felony under RCW 46.61.502. When a Burien DUI qualifies as a felony, the case goes to King County Superior Court in Seattle. The same applies if the driver has a prior vehicular homicide or vehicular assault conviction on record. Felony DUI carries far harsher penalties than a gross misdemeanor.
King County Superior Court handles felony DUI cases from Burien. The court is located at 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Call (206) 296-9300 with questions, or visit kingcounty.gov/courts/SuperiorCourt. Search cases online at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov.
Felony DUI records at King County Superior Court are fully public unless specifically sealed by a judge. You can search the Odyssey Portal for basic case information. For certified copies or full file access, contact the clerk at the King County Courthouse. Staff can pull files and make copies while you wait or process mailed requests within a few business days.
Washington DUI Law and Minimum Penalties
Washington's DUI statute, RCW 46.61.502, prohibits driving while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, or any other intoxicating substance. The legal BAC limit is 0.08 for most adult drivers. The per se THC limit is 5.00 nanograms per milliliter of blood. Drivers under 21 face a 0.02 BAC threshold. Commercial vehicle operators have a stricter limit of 0.04.
Minimum sentences are in RCW 46.61.5055. Courts must impose at least these minimums on every DUI conviction:
- First offense, BAC under 0.15: 24 hours in jail, $350 fine
- First offense, BAC 0.15 or higher, or test refusal: 48 hours in jail, $500 fine
- Second offense: 30 days in jail, 60 days electronic home monitoring, $500 fine
- Third and higher offenses: increased mandatory jail time and fines
Courts can go above the minimum and often do for repeat offenders or cases with aggravating factors such as a child passenger or a very high BAC. Probation, substance abuse evaluation and treatment, community service, and an ignition interlock requirement are all common additions to the mandatory sentence. Washington courts do not have discretion to go below the statutory minimums absent specific statutory authority.
What Burien DUI Records Contain
A DUI case file includes the formal charging document, which states the exact statute and the facts supporting the charge. It also contains all motions, the court's written rulings, any transcripts of recorded hearings, the plea agreement or trial record, and the judgment and sentence. For cases on appeal, the appellate record is separate and held at the Court of Appeals.
These documents are public under RCW 42.56. Any person may request them without stating a reason. The government agency holding the records must respond within five business days and may charge only the statutory copy fees. Larger requests may require more time.
Records involving minors are treated differently. Juvenile DUI cases go through a separate court system and are sealed by default. They are not accessible through the standard public portals. If a minor is tried as an adult, the record follows adult court procedures and is generally public.
Getting Copies of DUI Records from Burien
Contact Burien Municipal Court at (206) 248-5630 for municipal court records. You can request copies in person or by sending a written request to 400 SW 152nd St, Burien, WA 98166. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Bring a photo ID if you are requesting records about yourself. Requests for records about another person are processed as standard public records requests and no ID is required.
For King County Superior Court felony records, contact the clerk at (206) 296-9300 or visit 516 Third Ave in Seattle. The same copy fee schedule applies. For legal matters such as immigration cases, professional licensing, or reinstatement of rights, ask specifically for a certified copy of the judgment and sentence. That document shows the conviction, the charge, and the full sentence imposed.
DOL License Suspension Records
A DUI arrest in Burien triggers two separate government actions. The criminal court handles the criminal charge. The Department of Licensing handles the administrative license suspension. Both processes run on separate tracks and neither controls the outcome of the other. A driver can be acquitted in court but still have their license suspended by the DOL.
The DOL suspension comes from the breath test result or refusal. When a driver fails a breath test or refuses to submit to one, law enforcement notifies the DOL. The DOL then sends notice of suspension and the driver has a limited window to request a hearing. Missing the deadline results in automatic suspension without any further opportunity to challenge it. The DOL's DUI resources page at dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/duiresources.html has full information on suspension timelines and reinstatement steps.
Nearby Cities
These nearby cities also have DUI records accessible through Washington's court system.
King County DUI Records
Burien is in King County. For county-level court information, Superior Court Clerk contact details, and additional DUI resources serving the area, see the King County DUI records page.